Entain released data on last week's major boxing match between legendary boxer Mike Tyson and YouTuber Jake Paul, which was uploaded on Netflix.
Overall, the event was highly popular among the operator's audience, with record numbers in both the amount of bets placed and the total betting volume on its BetMGM, Coral, and Ladbrokes brands for a combat sports event.
Given the age difference between the two, it's understandable that Paul was the favorite at the start of the match according to betting companies, but it was also predictable that Tyson, due to his legendary status, would dominate the betting with 68% backing him to win, with the most bets placed on Tyson winning by knockout.
The "Netflix effect" may have aided the match, with a peak viewership of 65 million households, and reports suggest an additional 50 million households watched the undercard fight where Katie Taylor defeated Amanda Serrano.
Paul's influence also likely benefited Entain, as he has participated in 6 of the top 25 most-bet boxing matches in Entain's history. The previous betting record was set during the May 2024 match between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
Entain's Sports General Manager Greg Ferris stated, "Our trading team is always ready for the spotlight on 'celebrity' boxers, but the impact of Netflix broadcasting the event cannot be ignored. Their vast subscriber base, promotions, and the decision to offer the service free to existing customers led to record-breaking viewership numbers."
It's noteworthy that in the US, the betting volume for this match reached an all-time high, with companies like BetMGM and DraftKings reporting record figures.
"Having these two fighters compete attracted attention from fans of both sides, creating a rare crossover event. With the odds being relatively close, a large influx of new bettors came in to support their favorite fighters, making this the most bet on event in our history."
"It will be interesting to see if this model continues when they broadcast their first Christmas NFL game this year, and how other major streaming platforms will react," he added.
Similarly, Entain reported record-breaking betting volumes for the Olympics in August, and in October, the operator highlighted a significant increase in NFL betting activity in the UK and Ireland following the 2024/25 season and three high-profile London games.
